Seismic Separation Clip for Suspended Ceiling Grid Systems

ABSTRACT

A clip is provided for connecting either main runners end-to-end, or for connecting cross tees to a main runner. The clip comprises a first vertical portion configured to lie along the vertical web of a T-shaped runner or cross tee that has a central discontinuity to define first and second segments, the discontinuity permitting the clip to fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main runner. Each of the first and second portions includes an elongated slot configured to slidably receive a fastener and an aperture configured to receive a fastener. The clip further comprises a second inverted generally J-shaped portion extending upwardly from the first vertical portion configured to receive the strengthening bulb of a T-shaped member, the second portion including a central discontinuity to permit the clip to fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main runner. The J-shaped section also includes a tab extending outwardly therefrom adjacent the discontinuity, the tab including an aperture configured to receive a fastener, the J-shaped portion including reinforcement adjacent the discontinuity.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to suspended ceiling grid systems that include main runners and cross tees, and, more specifically, to a clip intended for use in seismic zones to permit limited relative movement between the attached grid members in the event of an earthquake to reduce the risk of a ceiling collapse.

BACKGROUND

In geographical regions subject to earthquakes, buildings are designed to be stiffer so as to resist horizontal forces, thus minimizing the amount of relative lateral movement and resultant damage. Standards applicable to suspended ceiling systems for buildings in such seismic areas have also been developed. For example, ASTM E 580-02 provides a standard practice for “Application of Ceiling Suspension Systems for Acoustical Tile and Lay-in Panels in Areas Requiring Seismic Restraint.” The intent of this standard practice is to provide an unrestrained ceiling system designed to accommodate the horizontal movement of the grid network when loads are applied laterally to a ceiling surface, such as during a seismic event. Additionally, the 2000 International Building Code specifies that for ceiling areas exceeding 2,500 square feet, a seismic separation joint or full height partition shall be provided.”

One way of meeting these requirements is to connect the grid members of a suspended ceiling system so as to facilitate limited relative movement between the grid members without the grid members becoming disconnected. Suspended ceiling grid systems typically include include “main runners” (typically 12′ in length) and “cross tees” (typically 4′ in length), in which both the main runners and cross tees have an inverted “T” shape, with opposed flanges on the bottom (on which the edges of the associated ceiling panels rest) joined to a vertical web with a strengthening bulb at the top. The main runners/cross tees are typically made in a roll forming operation from sheet metal.

Various clips have been developed specifically for use in seismic zones for securing the grid members to each other. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,552,567, directed to a perimeter clip, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,117,793, directed to a separation joint for connecting grid members end-to-end, both being owned commonly with the present application. By way of the present disclosure, a seismic separation clip is provided that may be used either to secure two main runners in end-to-end relation, or to secure two cross tees to an associated main runner.

SUMMARY

The present subject matter has a number of aspects which may be used in various combinations, and a disclosure of one or more specific embodiments is for the purpose of disclosure and description, and not limitation. This summary highlights only a few of the aspects of this subject matter, and additional aspects are disclosed in the drawings and the more detailed description that follows.

In one aspect, a clip is provided for connecting either main runners end-to-end, or for connecting cross tees to a main runner, the main runners and cross tees comprising inverted T-shaped members with opposed flanges at the lower end, a vertical web extending upwardly from the flanges, and a strengthening bulb at the upper end of the web. The clip comprises a first segment having a vertical portion configured to lie along the vertical web of a T-shaped member, and having a first central discontinuity to define first and second halves, the discontinuity permitting the clip to fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main runner, each of the first and second halves including an elongated slot configured to slidably receive a fastener and an aperture configured to receive a fastener. The clip further comprises a second inverted generally J-shaped segment extending upwardly from the first vertical segment configured to receive the strengthening bulb of a T-shaped member, the second segment including a second central discontinuity extending from the first central discontinuity to permit the clip to fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main runner, the J-shaped segment including a tab extending outwardly therefrom adjacent the discontinuity, the tab including an aperture configured to receive a fastener.

In a further aspect, the J-shaped segment includes a reinforcement adjacent the discontinuity, preferably an embossment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present subject matter are described in the following detailed description and shown in the attached figures, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the clip of FIG. 1 being used to secure main runners end-to-end and to secure cross tees to the main runners.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the clip of FIG. 1 being used to secure cross tees to a main runner in an alternative arrangement to that shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A more detailed description of a seismic separation clip in accordance with the present disclosure is set forth below. It should be understood that the description below of a specific embodiment is intended to be exemplary, and not exhaustive of all possible variations or applications. Thus, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limiting, and should be understood to encompass variations or embodiments that would occur to persons of ordinary skill.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3 of the attached drawings, the clip 10 comprises a first segment 12 with a vertical portion 12 a adapted to lie along the vertical web of an associated grid member and a horizontal shoulder 12 b extending generally perpendicularly from its upper end. The clip 10 is relieved proximate its mid-section so that it has a central discontinuity 14 that permits the clip 10 to accommodate the intersection of a main runner and cross tees (as will be described in greater detail below). The discontinuity 14 divides the clip 10 into two halves 16 a, 16 b. The halves 16 a, 16 b each includes an elongated slot 18 a, 18 b configured to slidably receive a fastener (e.g., a screw) that secures the clip 10 to the associated main runner(s) or cross tees to permit relative movement of the fastener along the length of the slot 18 a, 18 b (and thus relative movement between the clip and the grid member). The segments 16 a, 16 b also each include an aperture 20 a, 20 b configured to receive a fastener (e.g., a screw) to secure the clip 10 to the associated main runner(s) or cross tees in the event that no relative movement between the grid member and the clip 10 is desired.

The clip 10 further comprises a second segment 22 having a generally inverted J shape that extends from the vertical segment 12 and is configured to receive/rest on the strengthening bulb of the associated runners or cross tees. The segment 22 includes a first vertical portion 22 a extending from the horizontal shoulder 12 b of the first segment 12, a horizontal portion 22 b extending from the upper end of the first vertical portion 22 a, and a second vertical portion 22 c extending downwardly from the horizontal portion 22 b. The central discontinuity 14 extends continuously upwardly from the first segment into the first vertical portion 22 a of the J-shaped segment 22 adjacent to the horizontal portion 22 b, thus permitting the clip 10 to fit over the reinforcing bulb when the clip 10 is used to secure cross tees to a main runner. The J-shaped section 22 also includes a tab 24 extending generally perpendicularly therefrom, with an aperture 26 that may be used for receiving a screw to secure the clip to the strengthening bulb of a main runner when the clip 10 is used in conjunction with the cross tees. The clip 10 may be strengthened in the area of the central discontinuity 16 by reinforcing the J-shaped section 22. As shown in the drawings, the clip may include, e.g., an embossment or raised rib 28 in horizontal portion 22 b overlying the discontinuity 14 for additional rigidity.

With reference to FIG. 4, the clip 10 is shown in combination with main runners 30, 32 and 34, and cross tees 36 and 38. As is well known, the main runners and cross tees have a generally inverted T shape, with opposed flanges 40 at the lower end on which the edges of associated ceiling panels (not shown) rest, a vertical web 42, and a strengthening bulb 44.

In FIG. 4, Clip 10 a secures the two main runners 30, 32 in end-to end relationship, with screws 46 and 48 being received in the apertures 20 a, 20 b of the clip so as to secure the clip to main runner 32 without allowing the clip to move relative to the main runner 32. The clip 10 a is slidably secured to the main runner 30 by a screw 50 received the vertical web of the main runner and extending through the elongated slot 18 a. Under such circumstances, a gap is created between the ends of the adjacent main runners that may be closed for aesthetic purposes with a cover plate 52 that is secured to the flanges of the main runners.

Clip 10 b secures the main runners 32,34 in end-to end relationship, as described above, and also receives the cross tees 36, 38 in the discontinuity 14 of the clip. With reference to FIG. 5, an alternative is seen in which cross tees 56, 58 are both secured to a main runner 60 so as to permit relative motion of both cross tees 56, 58 relative to the main runner 60. In such circumstances, the clip 10 c is aligned with the cross tees 56, 58, with the cross tees slidably secured to the clip by screws 62 a, 62 b received in the vertical webs of the respective cross tees and extending through the slots 18 a, 18 b. The clip 10 c is also secured to the bulb 44 of the main runner by a screw 64 received in the aperture 26 of tab 24.

It will be understood that the embodiment described above is illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present subject matter. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. For these reasons, the scope hereof is not limited to the above description but is as set forth in the following claims, and it is understood that claims may be directed to the features hereof, including as combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. 

1. A clip for connecting either main runners end-to-end, or for connecting cross tees to a main runner, the main runners and cross tees comprising inverted T-shaped members with opposed flanges at the lower end, a vertical web extending upwardly from the flanges, and a strengthening bulb at the upper end of the web, the clip comprising: a first vertical segment configured to lie along the vertical web of a T-shaped member having a first central discontinuity to define first and second halves, the first vertical segment of each of the first and second halves being coplanar, the discontinuity permitting the clip to fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main runner, each of the first and second halves including an elongated slot configured to slidably receive a fastener and an aperture configured to receive a fastener; and a second inverted generally J-shaped segment extending upwardly from the first vertical portion configured to receive the strengthening bulb of a T-shaped member, the second segment including a second central discontinuity to permit the clip to fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main runner, the second inverted J-shaped segment including a tab extending outwardly therefrom adjacent the second discontinuity, the tab including an aperture configured to receive a fastener.
 2. The clip of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcement of the second segment adjacent the second central discontinuity.
 3. The clip of claim 2 further comprising an embossment for reinforcement.
 4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the second central discontinuity extends from and is continuous with the first central discontinuity.
 5. The clip of claim 1 wherein the tab extends generally perpendicularly from the second segment. 